2018 Rookie Profile: James Washington, WR Oklahoma State

If you watch college football closely at all then you’re already likely aware that James Washington is one of the top wide receivers in the country. He was the 2017 Fred Biletnikoff Award recipient, given to the most outstanding receiver in college football. Washington joined an elite club of Biletnikoff winners that includes Amari Cooper, Brandin Cooks, Golden Tate, Michael Crabtree, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, and more. But it’s one thing to dominate in college football. It’s quite a bit more challenging to impress in the NFL. Can he take his talents to Sunday and succeed? Let’s take a look.

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The Stats

You don’t have to look very far into Washington’s statistics to realize that he’s a special player.

Statistics from sports-reference.com.

He led the nation in receiving yards with 1549 through his 13 games. He averaged just shy of 20 yards per reception over his entire collegiate career on 226 receptions. That level of big-play ability on such a massive sample has basically never been achieved before. Washington also caught at least ten touchdowns in three of his collegiate seasons.

Plus if you’re into analytics, Washington checked several boxes that you want to see. He posted an early breakout age as a true freshman catching 28 balls for 456 yards and six scores. And if you like to see a solid Dominator Rating (combines percentage of team receiving yards and touchdowns), he caught 30% of the receiving yards and 35% of Oklahoma State’s receiving touchdowns in his final season. Statistically speaking, James Washington is a near perfect specimen.

The Film

Obviously the video above is just highlights, but those are always fun. Plus the video actually displays several key attributes that point to James Washington’s pro potential.

His best and most exciting skill is his technique to find success in the deep receiving game. Washington wins at the line, creates separation, stacks over the top of defenders, times his jumps perfectly, and shields the ball away from defenders in contended situations. It’s incredible to watch him successfully execute a nine, post, or corner route.

However, he’s not just limited to deep work. Washington has the speed and vision to turn a simple slant into a massive touchdown play. And thanks to his knack for pushing defenses deep, most defensive backs give him some cushion to work with underneath. That being said, he does not have many reps against press coverage. He’ll need to hone his craft in tight quarters off the line against more physical corners. If longer athletic corners play him tight it will be interesting to see if Washington figures out how to win there too.

Overall, James Washington’s film paints the picture of a player that can win short, intermediate, and especially deep. He uses his hands well, creates separation with solid route running and physical technique, and boasts the physicality necessary to win when it matters most. The film is another checkbox filled for Washington.

Athleticism

Washington’s athletic profile (via Mock Draftable) is possibly the only area where things aren’t exactly perfect.

All of the numbers you see here are from the NFL Combine. His physical frame measured in above average overall, but his athletic testing drills weren’t exactly impressive. However, he most definitely improved upon several things at his pro day. He improved his vertical jump to 39 inches, and apparently ran a sub-4.5 forty-yard dash. Pro day times are always a little sketchy, but those numbers make more since given his game tape.

Regardless of what his physically measured tests were, Washington’s athletic profile is quite interesting. He boasted the second thickest BMI at the NFL Combine at the wide receiver position. He has arms and wingspan like a boxer to catch the ball outside his frame and win in contested situations. There’s a lot to love with his athletic ability. It’s just not what many dynasty owners are accustomed to seeing in the typical ‘WR1’ build.

Dynasty Value

James Washington should, by all accounts, be taken inside the top two rounds of the NFL Draft. When you mix his insane production, solid film, and athletic attributes his overall profile screams “top 50 player” in every way.

However, for some reason many dynasty owners still show doubts in Washington. March 2018 Rookie ADP says that he is going around pick ten in rookie mock drafts. In fact, of the ten drafts held by DLF, Washington was taken in between picks seven and thirteen in all but one draft. That makes him the WR4 on most boards behind Courtland Sutton, DJ Moore, and Calvin Ridley.

His startup value looks pretty reasonable right now too according to March ADP. He is going off the board around pick 64 in most cases as the WR32. Many years a top three or four wide receiver rookie is already considered a top 30 option. Unless Washington lands somewhere incredibly enticing, it looks like he should be had for a mid-round investment in most cases this year.

Conclusion

As you’ll find in the video below I’m not too worried about Washington’s chance at future success.

Getting back to WRs with #TouchdownTime on James Washington and his #NFLCombine2018. #NFLDraft2018 #FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/U5JStQOPfW

— Travis May (@FF_TravisM) March 7, 2018

Yes, Washington doesn’t have a flawless athletic profile. Yes, I would like him to be just a bit taller. However, everything else about him looks like it will translate with no problem at all to the NFL level. Expect him to have a very boom and bust beginning to his career. His deep ball ability will likely land him in the end zone a few times as a rookie, so expect some value spikes to happen. Just be ready to pounce if his value ever starts to slip. James Washington is going to be a solid WR2 in the NFL level for quite some time.

As always, find me on Twitter @FF_TravisM. Look for videos using the hashtag #TouchdownTime. And yes, I love to chat about these players. I want to learn from you! Thanks for reading, and keeping living that Dynasty Life!

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